JUL 29-- (Anchorage, AK)– DEA Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Arnold R. Moorin and the United States Attorney for the District of Alaska, Nelson P. Cohen, announced that on July 23, 2008, Donald Keith Johnston, a resident of Sutton, Alaska was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage to 30 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana. Johnston was also ordered to forfeit his residence at 13600 North Glenn Highway, Sutton, Alaska.

According to information presented to the court by prosecutors, from January 2004 until March 2007, Johnston and his co-conspirators utilized the Alcan Highway to smuggle more than 100 kilograms of “B.C Bud” marijuana from British Columbia for distribution in Alaska. The group smuggled their marijuana by means of snow machines in the winter and concealed compartments in vehicles in the summer. After the conspiracy was disrupted by law enforcement, Johnston then grew marijuana in his Sutton residence, rendering the residence to forfeiture under federal law.

Nelson P. Cohen commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Alaska State Troopers Mat-Su Valley ABADE Unit, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Johnston.